March 28, 2024
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ref. 3970E Chronograph

The 1966 Rolex Ref. 6239 “Paul Newman” Cosmograph Daytona wristwatch is the principle enticement to collectors from Heritage Auctions on May 26. Heritage Auctions estimates that this Rolex will sell for more than $100,000. By May 20 the watch had already been bid to $25,000 in the pre-live-auction period online. 1966 Rolex Ref. 6239 “Paul Newman” Cosmograph Daytona
“This beautiful timepiece, with its dial variation, art deco look, different color pattern and subsidiary dials featuring little squares instead of numerals is a classic of horology,” said Jim Wolf, director of fine timepieces at Heritage Auctions. “It’s also the ultimate vintage Rolex for the serious connoisseur.”

Collectors will also note with interest the inclusion of a Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ref. 3970E Chronograph with Register, Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phases and 24-Hour Indication in the auction, which is estimated by Heritage to sell for more than $90,000. Look for two complicated A. Lange & Söhne wristwatches, the first a Langematik 18K Yellow Gold Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch, Ref. 310.021 (estimated at $50,000) and a circa 1872 Quality 1A Gold Quarter Repeater With Date, Certificate & Ledger Entry, with the distinction of being the oldest still existing repeater watch manufactured by the German watchmaker. This pocket watch is estimated at $40,000.Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Ref. 3970E Chronograph
“It’s no small distinction that this is the oldest surviving Lange repeating watch,” Wolf notes in a press release. “This is a museum piece and an exceptional masterpiece.”

Heritage, a Dallas-based auction house with a wide range of American, German, British and Swiss vintage watch sources, can generally be counted on to add more than a few somewhat obscure makers to its watch auctions.

Here’s a case in point: A Gold Pocket Chronometer with its original box and papers from watchmaker Albert H. Potter & Co.. This what may be the only example of a highly finished detent chronometer made by the Geneva-based Albert H. Potter and is complete with box, instruction card and signed certificate. It carries a pre-auction estimate of $55,000.d. Lang & Cie Geneve fine gold and enamel Keyless Lever pocket watch

Another important timepiece set for the auction, notes Wolf, is the personal watch of J.M. Studebaker, the last of the five famed automaker brothers to pass away, in 1917. The watch is an Ad. Lang & Cie Geneve fine gold and enamel Keyless Lever pocket watch, circa 1870s. The watch is a museum quality piece with a signature dial, engraved portrait and enameled buggy and wagon that recalls the original Studebaker family business of making horse-drawn vehicles.